Letters from Madras, during the years 1836-1839 / By a lady [i.e. J.C. Maitland].

Maitland, Julia Charlotte, -1864

Date:: 1846

Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Letters from Madras, during the years 1836-1839 / By a lady [i.e. J.C. Maitland]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

135/168 (page 121)

LET. XXIVv.] A PROXY. 121] ‘twenty years ago; and that no Collector in his senses would do such a thing now. Our clerical friend, Mr. , is always in some serape about christenings: he refuses to admit any sponsors who are not regular communicants, and consequently many children under his jurisdiction are not christened at all. A little while ago he was absent from his station for three days, and D » who is Judge there, took the opportunity to christen, himself, all the children Mr. had refused ; so when he returned he found it all done and registered, with the obnoxious godfathers and godmothers. Also, Master D took upon himself to marry an English soldier to a Heathen woman, together with various other scappate of less importance, but very provoking. Poor felt himself uncommonly hurt, as he often does, and ap- pealed to the Bishop. He showed us the Bishop’s answer, which was really beautiful ; condemning all D *s misde- meanors, and at the same time giving such good and wise advice about his own vagaries, and yet so kindly and delicately expressed, and the whole tone of the letter so humble and Christianlike, that it was quite a pattern. All the young hands are quite wild about these new ideas concerning baptism. A asked young B , a slip of eighteen, to stand proxy for one of the godfathers at our baby’s christening: B said he could not possibly do it, because, if he were a proxy, he should feel called upon to remonstrate with the parents con- cerning their way of bringing up the child. A—— explained that we by no means wished him to be godfather, and asked whether he knew the difference between that and proxy. No, he did not, but still “felt sure it must be wrong.” Fancy a young chap like that thinking he must know best about educa- tion, and that his “‘ remonstrances” would inevitably be wanted ! He is a good lad too, only somewhat pragmatical and solemn. H did not think it wrong to be proxy, but discoursed con- siderably on a variety of duties of a godfather, which being quite new to me, I ventured to inquire whether he found them in the Bible or the Prayer Book. ‘Why, neither,” said he, “ but I am sure they must be somewhere!” April 16th.— Do you know that Government has abolished the pilgrim-tax? It isa very good step towards leaving off their